SOCIETY TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 65, 16 March 1907, Page 13

SOCIETY TRAGEDY.

EARL'S DAUGHTER ACCIDENTAL!.! SHOT BY HUSBAND.

A distressing tragedy took place in tbe grounds of Beaufront hear Hexham, on Thursday morning, January 21, Lady Dorothy Cuthbert, daughter of the Earl of Strafford, being accidentally shot dead by her husband.

Capt. James Harold Cuthbert, D.5.0., was entertaining a number of friends and relatives, and, after breakfast, a shooting party set out for the woods near the castle. Quarry wood, on Fernhill Farm, had been reached, and Capt. Cuthbert was walking beside his wife, when he saw a pheasant rise. He wheeled sharply round to take aim, but the trigger of his gun caught In some part of his clothing, and was accidentally discharged. Lady Cuthbert, who was standing only two yards away, received tbe full charge in ber head, and fell dead.

Capt. Cuthberf himself carried the lifeless body of his wife to the farm near by, and Dr. Stewart, of Hexham, was soon on the spot, but he could only confirm the worst fears of the agonised husband.

HUSBAND'S GRIEF.

Another account states that Lady Cuthbert motored over to join the shooting party just after noon, and was walking beside ber husband when be slipped and accidentally discharged his gun. Tbe unfortunate lady was shot dead on the spot. The first to arrive on the scene was tbe head gamekeeper, who found Lady Cuthbert on the snow-covered ground, and griefstricken, her husband prostrate on the ground beside ber. A doctor was telephoned for, and the lady was removed to the Castle mews. The news of the terrible tragedy has cast a gloom over the whole countryside. The deceased lady was the daughter of tbe Rev. the Earl of Strafford, formerly chaplain to the House of Commons. Born in 18S1, she married Capt. Cuthbert in 1903, and has since taken a prominent part in the social life of West Tynedala Fond of field sport, she invariably accompanied the shooting parties, handling a gru with rare skill.

AIAGERSFONTEIN HERO.

Capt. Cuthbert, who was awarded tha D.S.O. in 1901 for distinguished conduct in South Africa, where he served with tbe Scots Guards, wrote an account of his regiment's services at the front. He won his spurs as a subaltern at Magersfontein, where.;hie, galloped across a hot line of fire with .despatches, for which he was specimentioned- He also fought through .the"fierce engagements at the Modder, Enslin, Belmont, Diamond Hill, and Belfast, and came into great prominence by his dash and heroism. He was Army revolver J champion in 1904, and has a wide reputa- ; tion as a crack shot.

The scene of the tragedy is a beautiful part of the Tyneside. Beaufront Castle overlooks the river, .lying on the north bank, amid extensive grounds, ±w<» and a-half mQ« fr*n_ Hexham. ...__ ,'